Lee Health Launches Phase II of the Hospital at Home Program at Cape Coral Hospital

Patients in Cape Coral will now be able to receive high-level hospital care from the comfort of their home

As the Cape Coral and Southwest Florida population continues to grow, Lee Health accepted its first patient into Phase II of the Hospital at Home program last week at Cape Coral Hospital.

Hospital at Home allows qualifying patients to receive hospital-level care from the comfort of their own home. Lee Health launched the program first in November 2024 at Gulf Coast Medical Center. Since then, 140 patients have been admitted to the program.

Hospital at Home focuses on five primary diagnoses, including pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure (CHF), urinary tract infection requiring hospitalization, and cellulitis, but leaders evaluate all potential patients interested in the option.

“Through Phase I of the Hospital at Home program launching last year at Gulf Coast Medical Center, we have seen that home-based hospital care improves outcomes and enhances patient experiences,” said Kristy Dutton, Lee Health’s system director of the Hospital at Home program. “And we are excited to bring this convenient care option to the Cape Coral community. Patients with lower acuity illnesses can recover from the comfort of their own homes with the same technology, constant communication and compassionate care they’d receive in a hospital setting—in a place where they’re most comfortable. The Hospital at Home program will also help create more space and access to essential care for Cape Coral residents and visitors. It’s a big win for the community.”

Hospital at Home utilizes the latest technology so patients can access expert care from hospital staff 24/7. Patients admitted to Hospital at Home receive:

• In-home assessments and treatments administered by Lee Health nurses
• Regular and as-needed video visits from a doctor or nurse
• Monitoring for temperature, pulse regularity and other important indicators of health status
• Medications, IV infusions, testing, imaging and therapy brought to the home
• Food prepared and packaged by Lee Health Food & Nutrition Services and delivered by a Hospital at Home courier

Fort Myers resident Wendy Markman knows firsthand how comforting it can be to receive high-level care from the ease of her own home.

A week before Thanksgiving, Markman fell ill during a day out and was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where it was discovered that she had pneumonia. 

“I thought I’d rather sleep at home,” Markman said. “My husband doesn’t drive so it would be difficult for him to come see me at the hospital. Plus, the idea that he would be with me at all times was comforting.”

She was given an iPad with a lead to monitor her vitals. A pulse oximetry device reported her blood saturation level every hour via the iPad, along with her blood pressure. On the second night during her hospital at home stay, Markman wanted to leave her bed and stretch her legs with a short walk around her house. 

“It was amazing that they could monitor my vitals and oxygen,” Markman said. “They knew exactly what was going on with me.”

“My recovery was quicker because I was at home and I could move around,” she said. “The biggest thing was that I was able to get good sleep, which made a huge difference.”

Home-based hospital care has been tested and implemented at several well-known and well-regarded health systems, such as Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins, and Lee Health is looking forward to bringing this new and convenient healthcare option to the Cape Coral community.

To learn more about Lee Health’s Hospital at Home program, please visit www.leehealth.org.